Judge Penelope Belcher also handed Mark Parkinson, 45, of Estcourt Road, Darrington, a 34-month sentence and Anthony Cunningham, 48, of Minden Way, Pontefract, a 12-month community order for their roles in two separate operations.

Between December 2008 and April 2010 Michie partnered up with his friend Parkinson and used contacts in China, Hong Kong and India to bring in the medicines.

The drugs were sent to addresses using the names of people who did not live at the homes. But Michie made an arrangement with two Parcelforce delivery men whereby, instead of them taking the packages to the homes, they were handed to Michie and Parkinson for a fee.

After authorities intercepted packages, records and phone logs revealed sales and contacts linked to where some of the parcels originated.

Sentencing the defendants, Judge Belcher said: “You James Michie and Mark Parkinson were known to each other through snooker and one way or another had contacts in the Far East who were willing to supply medical products on a wholesale basis.”

She added: “Between you, you devised a method of importing the goods and intended to evade the authorities.”

Aldermore supports more than £1bn of asset finance to UK businesses in 2017